New staff recruited to Blitz Games' growing 1UP programme

Blitz Games' 1UP programme is fast growing momentum with three new titles signed and four more green-lit in the last month, the developer has confirmed.

And new staff have also been appointed to work on it as increasing numbers of start-up developers take advantage of Blitz's scheme to help them market and distribute their games.

"The response to the programme has been fantastic," said Chris Swan, business development director for Blitz Arcade and 1UP. "Since we launched the label last November take-up has steadily increased, and we're hugely excited with the new games and teams that we have lined up."

Among the new staff appointed to the division is Neil Holmes, who has joined as producer following 19 years in the industry.

"I'm delighted to be working alongside Chris on the Blitz 1UP initiative," he said. "With the increase in resources and new processes that we're putting in place, we're now able to fully scale up the programme to the next level."

Blitz's 1UP label was started in November last year with the aim of using its resources to help smaller developers get their titles to market. Among the services offered are audio and QA, marketing assistance and help with console distribution typically hard to achieve by lone small studios.

The IndieVillage at this year's GameCity Festival is to be sponsored by Blitz. Both Chris and Neil will be on hand there to view demos and give advice to those attending.